Team pares down running backs in first cuts
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ running back battle is down to three.
Keith Toston, Anthony Allen and Jermaine Thomas remain in the running for the Canadian Football League team’s starting tailback’s position after two other candidates — fellow Americans Clifton Smith and Curtis McNeal — were released Sunday night.
The list of the Roughriders’ first cuts also consisted of defensive backs Donnie Fletcher and Antonio Fenelus, linebackers Tyler Greenslade and Adrian Moten, fullback Matthew Burke, punter Brett Cameron and offensive lineman Ryan Tillman.
The Roughriders also announced that Canadian quarterback Matthew Leyh is returning to Mount Allison for another season of CIS football.
In addition, veteran defensive back Carlos Thomas has been placed on the injured list. CFL teams had until Sunday at 10 p.m., to reduce their rosters to 65 players (plus non-counters).
Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant was was impressed with the Roughriders’ other three quarterbacks — sophomore Tino Sunseri and first-year CFLers Adam Weber and Seth Doege.
“I think they did great,” Durant said. “They came in and they made some throws, and that’s the thing — especially Adam. Adam came in, he threw a pick, and the very next drive he came back and he threw a touchdown. You have to have a short memory and I think those guys did a great job.’’
Trevor Guyton found his first CFL game to be an eyeopener.
The Riders’ defensive tackle said it took time for him to adapt to the CFL field even though he had been with the team throughout training camp.
“I felt myself winded out there a few times because it’s a bigger field,” Guyton said after recording three defensive tackles and a sack. “I’m still getting used to the yard off the ball. It’s still football and that’s all I care about.” Marshay Green wasn’t too concerned about making an impression on Saturday.
The first-year defensive back and returner may have done enough in training camp to deserve a long look from the Riders’ coaching staff.
Then he went out and returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown in Saturday’s first quarter.
“To tell you the truth, I went the wrong way,” said Green, who chipped in three defensive tackles. “They punted the ball left and I tried to time it, but then I went right. I really have to give props to my team because they blocked for me.” The crowd Saturday numbered 13,014, a far cry from the 30,000-plus gatherings the Roughriders typically generate for a home game.